Rotary Phone
Manufacture Period: c. 1931-50
Brand: Ericsson LM
Model: DBH 16182 Bakelite Telephone
Ericsson first distributed the Bakelite telephone in the 1930s. It set the standard for modern phones. The phone was made by the Elektrisk Bureau A/S in Oslo. Later, it was made and distributed by its subsidiary, AB Alpha in Sweden, making the phone a Swedish-Norwegian collaboration. The phone became an important prototype for the Bell Grop’s 300-model in 1937 and replace the standing candle holder telephones that were prevalent in America. In 1947, the phone was Americanized by using plastic and changing the metal finger dial to an impact-resistant thermoplastic.
The telephone revolutionized manufacturing by reducing the time for production from one week to seven minutes. It was made by curing hot moulding compound and then assembling the components on the bottom of the metal plate.
Manufactured in Sweden
On loan from Prof. Allan Thompson
Monday, January 9, 2023 in Media Museum
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